VANTI Goes to New York City

VANTI Designs is a line of beautiful, botanically inspired scarves by Marina Mary Georgiadis. I met her at a workshop she was giving at Van Dusen Gardens here.

Now, when I travel, I take these light, versatile pieces with me. They can be worn as tops and belts as well as in a multitude of knots and folds, over or under anything. I like to wear them long or with one knot as they seem to fall in just the most flattering, light catching ways. At the Plaza hotel, outside at the fountain, this grey, violet, purple scarf caught they eye of visitors who all ran over to take a photo.

Inside the plaza, at the grand entrance, in front of a huge display of flowers, people looked only at the scarf. I couldn't resist decorating Saks Fifth Avenue, just a bit. Two saleswomen, who came over to touch the soft silk, asked if it was one of theirs. No, I said, "Only in Canada!"

Thank you VANTI Designs and Marina for providing many conversations on the streets and in the stores of New York City. I think you should be there!

More about VANTI Designs here!

A Day With NYC Designer, Viktor Luna

Seems like yesterday that I met Viktor Luna, a Project Runway All Star Designer, at Palm Springs (El Paseo) Fashion Week. Even then, I coveted his iconic leather jackets. I've kept in touch on Facebook and when I visited NYC recently, I asked if we could meet and catch up. Despite his crazy, busy schedule, Viktor invited me over to see some of his favorite creations and yes, I got to try them on. I love the range of colors, materials, unusual zippers, glittering studs and grommets and of course, the overall statement of each piece and the fit. Coats, detailed, with work of art linings...warm yes, heavy, no. And dresses, all the glam and drama you could wish for. Think Black and Gold Events in Vancouver - think NYC runway. I met gorgeous, little, Mickey, Viktor's fashionable dog, too. Fashionable, because, yes, he has his own line of coats and accessories. Mickey is the best dressed dog I saw while I was there.

Time with Viktor was a fashionista's dream. Got to see the work area, projects in progress and plans for next steps. Racks of special clothes you'd never see anywhere else. After lunch, he answered a few more questions:

Any surprises in your career?
He is surprised that he can never stop designing. He is always reaching for the peak.

Biggest dream?
To continue what he is doing, sustainably and with increasing collaborations. I think he creates what he imagines; his dreams are the wearable Art we see in his collections.

Influence of Culture/Ethnicity on his work?
Is subtle but very much in evidence. Originally from Mexico, religious motifs -Spanish influence - hearts, embroidery, silhoettes, Flamenco, Spanish ribbons, Spanish Art, and experience of living in other countries.

The opportunity to see Viktor Luna, was a great incentive to get me on the NYC subway, on my own, for the first time. I wore Carolyn Bruce's silver robot ring on the trip because I think a collaboration between Viktor and Carolyn would be the most futuristic, fantastic runway show, ever. Viktor was wearing the ring, when I left. I am hoping to get invited back to NYC, to brave that subway again and to see those jackets and those rings on the stage. I can hear the applause!

Find out more about Viktor Luna here.

Original post about the Project Runway All Stars at Palm Springs FW here

Image source

A few of our favourite looks from his F/W '16 Collection

WOW!

 

TomoeArts Summer Patio Party Fundraiser

Photos and post by Dianna Drahanchuk

What a beautiful sunny day at the Guu Garden patio, perfect for the TomoeArts summer fundraiser on Sunday June 5, 2016. To start, guests were able to bid on a wide assortment of Japanese style items offered on silent auction and enjoy the plentiful and tasty Japanese inspired bites.

Eddy Takayanagi, President of TomoeArts, ably emceed the delightful entertainment. Catherine Yamamoto opened the program with the peaceful “Hakusen” or “White Fan”  - a Japanese classical dance often performed on special occasions. Later Lan Tung played the erhu in concert with Itamar Erez on acoustic guitar blending their sounds to middle eastern rhythms. Later, TomoeArts board member Koji Ito treated us to some Shigin, or chanted/sung Japanese poetry.

The lovely Colleen Lanki, Artistic & Managing Director, nihon buyoh instructor and driving force behind this event and others during the year around town, is very passionate about the company's mandate to incorporate Japanese traditional arts in interdisciplinary and multicultural ways. She is excited about their next “mash-up” project, a world premiere of a chamber opera featuring guest Noh theatre performers. Look for it in 2017 on their website: www.tomoearts.org.

Emma Dunlavey Curve Fine Art Photography Exhibit and VIP Shopping Event: Presented by LuvnGrace and Leone

Thanks to Vernard Lg Goud for the invitation and wonderful social media details about this fabulous Photography and Shopping Event in support of Beauty Night Society. Held at Leone's iconic store in the Sinclair Centre, this was a chance to mix and mingle, enjoy refreshments, appies and chocolates, see Emma Dunlavey's gorgeous photographs, buy beautiful designer clothing at specially discounted prices and fabulous jewellery and raise money to provide styling, beauty treats and photo shoots for women living in the down town east side. The Beauty Night Society, founded in 2000 by Caroline MacGillivray, has provided more than 50,000 makeovers and other support to build self esteem and help change lives.

This event was superbly organized and well attended. Beautiful setting, fabulous art, excellent sales staff, many creative minds meeting up for a great cause. Inspired by the amount of work that went into organizing this evening. Awed by everyone who dressed for a cause.

Event sponsors: Leone Vancouver, The hatch, Dena Details Inc., Fresh Magazine, Dr. Irèn Kossintseva, Mana Erfani Royalty Group Realty, Jirehstone Vancouver, Carolyn Bruce Designs - Steampunk Jewelry, Future Hair Training Centre,Winestains, Freywille Vancouver, David Mitchell Co., Natasha Lintott of Myskyeberrypie, Myriam Callot Sponsorships, Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial Clinic, Art Vancouver, METRO-LIVING-ZINE